tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55496933148951359712018-03-06T00:59:07.950-07:00Otter's OceanWelcome! This is where I will be posting my progress on various craft projects that I have going.
It started as just cross stitch but I seem to be unable to limit myself to one craft.Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-78214035301587018652015-02-07T23:43:00.001-07:002015-02-07T23:44:32.382-07:00New hair <p dir="ltr">I got my hair cut a couple of weeks ago. And I can't seem to get this pic uploaded in the right orientation. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FHOipwvlq7g/VNcFnTRE8RI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/vm3YW5jRp4E/s1600/20150122_191722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FHOipwvlq7g/VNcFnTRE8RI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/vm3YW5jRp4E/s640/20150122_191722.jpg"> </a> </div>Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-85776220743392371152015-02-07T03:42:00.001-07:002015-02-07T03:42:11.915-07:00Waiting no more.I've determined that life is not going to stop throwing me curveballs, so I have to stop waiting for the calm. I have to take each day as it comes and make the most of it. Otterwise, I'll be stuck watching the world pass me by. <br /><br />Last summer my hubby was diagnosed with high blood pressure due to liver disease brought on by chronic hepatitis C. The found a spot on his liver that was determined to be nothing, it resolved itself, as sometimes happens. Well after all of the stress of that, he was in a lot of pain in his back, we still don't know what caused it, but we saw an anesthesiologist and got some of the nerve endings in his spine burned, then one day he woke up and all the pain was gone...except in his feet and knees. Well while he was in the hospital last June I was paying really close attention to his blood work results, I noticed that his A1C was pretty high compared to the normal range. I asked the docs about it, but they didn't seem too concerned about it, so I let it go, figured it was because of the surgery he'd had and all the other stuff that was going on. Well before his last procedure that he needed to fast for, we went and did his blood work before checking in. I figured that would give the doc the best info possible. When those results came in, his blood sugar, which should have been on the low side due to the fasting, was really high. This time I didn't just let it go. I made him ask the liver doc about it, his response was, well that's pretty high. THAT'S IT?! So I made an appointment for hubby to go to his regular doc ASAP. Regular doc said he's diabetic, but it can most likely be controlled with diet and drugs, not insulin. No panic, just cut down on the sugar, cut it out if possible, watch what you eat and cut portion size down. OK no problem, we can do that. She also said that the foot pain was probably due to the diabetes being uncontrolled for too long, yay (sarcasm), at least there are new drugs out there that can help with the neuropathy.<br /><br />While all this was going on, I developed a cough in about the middle of November, usually, if I get a bit congested, if I can keep it out of my lungs, I'll get over it in about a week. Well, I was unable to keep it out of my lungs and it lingered into a 3 week ordeal. I was not a happy camper and I really needed to get it taken care of because I couldn't sleep, couldn't breathe and was out of refills for my asthma inhaler, which was the only thing keeping me from dying, I swear. So I went to the doc, she ordered x-rays of my chest, put me on steroids, (thank God), and gave me some really good antibiotics. My x-rays came back showing some junk (unknown opacities) in my left lung and now I needed a CT. Oy, it wasn't getting any easier. So I had the CT done, easy, quick, in and out, done! So now I had to wait for those results to come in. Thankfully, it didn't take long, however, now they found that the junk in my lungs was probably damage from the bronchitis I had and would resolve itself in the end, however, they found I had a small hiatal hernia and some nodes on my thyroid. NOW, I needed an ultrasound of my thyroid, no big deal, I thought, my mom had thyroid issues when I was a kid, so I figured it's a family thing. The results of the ultrasound came in and being that I didn't understand the terminology being used in the report, I went online and looked them up. What I found scared me, the largest node is 2.5 cm (about an inch). And the description is most often linked to malignant cancer. I don't get to see the endocrinologist until the end of March, sooooooo now I wait and imagine the worst. I'm not really imagining the worst though, which is weird because I am not good at NOT feeding into the doom and gloom, but I don't think it's a big deal right now. <br /><br />I just turned 50 and realized that I've already gotten more years than my mom did. She died when she was just 47. I had previously thought that I wouldn't make it past 45 so&nbsp;this is all gravy for me anyway. So I go day by day, enjoy the company that I keep, hubby and my daughter and her boyfriend. The work family that I have and work on my crafts.<br /><br />I basically took a hiatus from cross stitching because I really couldn't see the holes to stitch and I picked up crochet again. Well, I just recently got new glassed and I can see to cross stitch again, so I picked up some WIP's and seem to have found a balance between the two. I did a little work on my Breast Cancer Mandala, it's probably the closest to being completed of all my previous years WIP's.<br /><br />Here's the last pic of the where I was before my dad passed and the pic I took tonight.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P68ODD8p5CU/VNXqsyrjpvI/AAAAAAAAAsk/8Zs_aMWrib8/s1600/breast%2Bcancer%2Bribbon_mandala%2Bupdate%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P68ODD8p5CU/VNXqsyrjpvI/AAAAAAAAAsk/8Zs_aMWrib8/s1600/breast%2Bcancer%2Bribbon_mandala%2Bupdate%2B1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JEzXxHPEAXc/VNXq42DVDwI/AAAAAAAAAss/vdL2X_w9h28/s1600/breast%2Bcancer%2Bribbon_mandala%2Bupdate%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JEzXxHPEAXc/VNXq42DVDwI/AAAAAAAAAss/vdL2X_w9h28/s1600/breast%2Bcancer%2Bribbon_mandala%2Bupdate%2B2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />I have really missed being able to work on my cross stitch and I am so happy that I seem to have found a balance so that neither the cross stitch or the crochet is being neglected. <br /><br />I know this post has been a little long winded, but it's been a while again. I hope to not take so long between posts again. I'm really working on not procrastinating so much. <br /><br />Thanks for being here! Have a wonderful day/afternoon/evening. <br /><br />Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-86171598110062567372014-06-11T16:08:00.000-07:002015-02-07T22:54:17.755-07:00Crazy week pastSeems as if I almost spoke too soon. Just as I was intending to post more often because things seem to be settling down in my life, BOOM!, here comes the monkey wrench. My hubby had a procedure scheduled for last Monday, and we were all ready for a routine 3ish hours at the hospital like the last time. Yeah.....No. Didn't happen. The pre-procedure interview with hubby made the docs suspicious of what was going on. Turns out he had some bleeding in his esophagus that they were really concerned about. He ended up spending Monday night in the ICU and the next 3 days in a regular room. We have a few months of tests and doctors appointments to look forward (?) to.<br /><br />I recently lost a cousin (more like a brother to me than a cousin) to the same type of issue that my hubby has. And just over a year ago I my dad passed away after a short but severe battle with cancer. I was lucky enough to spend a long weekend with my dad just 3 weeks before he died. I also got to see a small part of my large extended family at the same time.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TrP8By6WX3w/U5jffsA-V9I/AAAAAAAAAsE/UyuH5cdi9h4/s1600/GEDC1953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TrP8By6WX3w/U5jffsA-V9I/AAAAAAAAAsE/UyuH5cdi9h4/s1600/GEDC1953.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Me and my Daddy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EWouVEf_9_0/U5jffjQmVqI/AAAAAAAAAsI/v3jtd2hwlQ8/s1600/group+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EWouVEf_9_0/U5jffjQmVqI/AAAAAAAAAsI/v3jtd2hwlQ8/s1600/group+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The family reunion President's Day 2013</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />I just hope and pray that my hubby will be around for a long time even though we have some major changes in our lives going forward. Maybe I'll even lose some weight while we make those changes. I am doing my best to keep positive and only focus on what's in front of me right now and not worry too much about what "may" be coming down the road, since we don't know for sure what is going on yet.<br /><br />I'm still working on my crochet, it keeps me from thinking too much, counting stitches helps a ton. Thanks for stopping by, soon I should have some more pics to share of some more of my projects.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-62389317617591452042014-05-28T22:13:00.000-07:002014-06-11T22:01:56.043-07:00I'm back, maybe.I've been away for far too long. But now I have discovered a need to reconnect. I have been obsessed with crocheting recently, ok for the last year or so. I'll try to catch up on what has been going on since I last posted. It's been an interesting almost 2 years. In the nice time (don't believe in the "mean" time), I'll post a picture or two of my recent projects.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GcQHAT6FqhQ/U4bBSK2IE6I/AAAAAAAAAr0/vrUp4sktElM/s1600/20140421_193418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GcQHAT6FqhQ/U4bBSK2IE6I/AAAAAAAAAr0/vrUp4sktElM/s1600/20140421_193418.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp; An infinity scarf that my daughter confiscated.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZFaZO5wSyY/U4bBSMLSV8I/AAAAAAAAArs/LfbkDCNwM6M/s1600/PhotoGrid_1399072023261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZFaZO5wSyY/U4bBSMLSV8I/AAAAAAAAArs/LfbkDCNwM6M/s1600/PhotoGrid_1399072023261.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A giraffe that I made for my youngest grandson Kai.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-10399759142892642212012-07-06T20:24:00.000-07:002015-02-07T22:54:45.339-07:00Update and BirthdaySince I posted in the middle of the week about my grandson Kai's birthday, I figured I'd start with that. He had his birthday party at the zoo. It was so hot I just couldn't go walking too much so I only have a few pictures of a couple of animals. But I have a few of the kids playing and a fabulous shot of a peacock that decided to come visit.<br />So please excuse me, this post is going to be heavy on pics for a change.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWMC3cPaliY/UAnp6MxIc5I/AAAAAAAAAZY/KZz2XynuMWI/s1600/GEDC1180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWMC3cPaliY/UAnp6MxIc5I/AAAAAAAAAZY/KZz2XynuMWI/s320/GEDC1180.jpg" height="229" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Literally a foot away from me.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6mTO6k2-Ff0/T_eopeIfPzI/AAAAAAAAAXs/Vns-zKSwENI/s1600/GEDC1190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6mTO6k2-Ff0/T_eopeIfPzI/AAAAAAAAAXs/Vns-zKSwENI/s320/GEDC1190.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8-T7-jA_X4/T_eop-rZrPI/AAAAAAAAAX0/ip8GQd3FBl8/s1600/GEDC1191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8-T7-jA_X4/T_eop-rZrPI/AAAAAAAAAX0/ip8GQd3FBl8/s320/GEDC1191.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bDwFCHoqorU/T_eoqg9s10I/AAAAAAAAAX8/J_TWvuoA6To/s1600/GEDC1203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bDwFCHoqorU/T_eoqg9s10I/AAAAAAAAAX8/J_TWvuoA6To/s320/GEDC1203.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kai just before he chased the peacock away for the 2nd time.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0e4S8gZ2h8/T_eorBhDIsI/AAAAAAAAAYE/nQbMM8NC7so/s1600/GEDC1209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0e4S8gZ2h8/T_eorBhDIsI/AAAAAAAAAYE/nQbMM8NC7so/s320/GEDC1209.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are 3 river otters inside that log. It was too hot even for them to come out to play.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kmjCNHRjhOY/T_eorT8ZqDI/AAAAAAAAAYM/mfK5bFAmP3o/s1600/GEDC1218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kmjCNHRjhOY/T_eorT8ZqDI/AAAAAAAAAYM/mfK5bFAmP3o/s320/GEDC1218.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't believe we got all of the kids to sit for about 30 seconds.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZGBWn6sO78/T_eor5bp38I/AAAAAAAAAYU/OG6-ZTeZTL0/s1600/GEDC1221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZGBWn6sO78/T_eor5bp38I/AAAAAAAAAYU/OG6-ZTeZTL0/s320/GEDC1221.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g8--NbXPaY4/T_eosLHPUmI/AAAAAAAAAYc/vLbU7_I0mLw/s1600/GEDC1222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g8--NbXPaY4/T_eosLHPUmI/AAAAAAAAAYc/vLbU7_I0mLw/s320/GEDC1222.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></div><br />My hubby had baked a cake earlier in the day, so we turned it into a birthday cake, since we missed the cupcakes at the zoo. <span id="goog_543667061"></span><span id="goog_543667062"></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xMl_xHJaTxY/T_eosS-kucI/AAAAAAAAAYk/gkhh8GqEHPI/s1600/GEDC1246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xMl_xHJaTxY/T_eosS-kucI/AAAAAAAAAYk/gkhh8GqEHPI/s320/GEDC1246.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RMlq6kgjJZA/T_eosrCkiGI/AAAAAAAAAYs/ZpEm9FYlqxg/s1600/GEDC1251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RMlq6kgjJZA/T_eosrCkiGI/AAAAAAAAAYs/ZpEm9FYlqxg/s320/GEDC1251.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Birthday boy, Kai</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fLd5CIBB88Y/T_eotDV5LSI/AAAAAAAAAY0/-ZtIUORk7Dk/s1600/GEDC1255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fLd5CIBB88Y/T_eotDV5LSI/AAAAAAAAAY0/-ZtIUORk7Dk/s320/GEDC1255.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big brother Sky.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FEYxvhrGpkk/T_eotocIA-I/AAAAAAAAAY8/gVEqWkbHyV0/s1600/GEDC1266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FEYxvhrGpkk/T_eotocIA-I/AAAAAAAAAY8/gVEqWkbHyV0/s320/GEDC1266.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kai and Skylor playing with the swords I bought them.</td></tr></tbody></table>I did spend part of the week stitching on my Sea Otters. I love this cute design. I should have it completed when it comes around on the RNG next. First, where I left off, then where I ended up today.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBGf5BvHCWM/T_erD-YMErI/AAAAAAAAAZE/DmGpDdKb73s/s1600/Endangered+Young%27uns+sea+otters+progress+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBGf5BvHCWM/T_erD-YMErI/AAAAAAAAAZE/DmGpDdKb73s/s320/Endangered+Young%27uns+sea+otters+progress+3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nvmituOvmxs/T_erEUnrNtI/AAAAAAAAAZM/hpFE8FYD-BM/s1600/Endangered+Young%27uns+sea+otters+progress+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nvmituOvmxs/T_erEUnrNtI/AAAAAAAAAZM/hpFE8FYD-BM/s320/Endangered+Young%27uns+sea+otters+progress+4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Maybe I should have done the eyes and ears backstitching, he looks a bit odd without them defined.<br /><br />Again, I have not "spun" the RNG to find out what's up this week, so I guess I'll surprise you with my next post. So until next time, I hope you have a wonderful weekend and week ahead!<br /><br />Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-78156263953330932102012-07-04T15:47:00.001-07:002012-07-04T15:47:55.836-07:00Happy 4th of July!Happy Independence Day! I have spent the day stitching, just like I told my hubby I would. It has been a very relaxing day, until it started raining, which sent my hubby into fits. He hates it because the roof leaks in his studio out back. We have to get that fixed soon.<br /><br />The RNG came up with #13 last week, so I have been working on my sea otters this week. It's funny because when I went to my grandsons birthday party at the zoo on Sunday, (pictures later this week) I purchased a couple more otters to add to my collection. One of these days, I will get a good picture of the whole shelf.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N_RRRNrHrrI/T_TH2bl47kI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/JYJT3maHgpE/s1600/IMG016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N_RRRNrHrrI/T_TH2bl47kI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/JYJT3maHgpE/s320/IMG016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Anyway, I'll post more and birthday pics at the end of the week. Have a happy 4th and a wonderful rest of the week!Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-32508084098441134492012-06-30T14:45:00.001-07:002012-06-30T14:45:48.764-07:00Where have I been?Hello Friends!<br /><br />I feel like I have been away for so long, I have been working so much overtime and enjoying my house being virtually empty of people that I haven't been doing much stitching or anything else, for that matter. I have been watching a bunch of movies for some reason.<br /><br />I did finish the baby announcement for my friend at work, now all she has to do is have the baby and I can complete it with the name, birth date and frame it. We're all so excited at work, can't wait for our baby to be born. Yes we've all decided that she's ours.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDPN5ZecMcw/T-9wUdHWb1I/AAAAAAAAAWI/3J2eaMuTLag/s1600/a+star+is+born+progress+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDPN5ZecMcw/T-9wUdHWb1I/AAAAAAAAAWI/3J2eaMuTLag/s320/a+star+is+born+progress+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;I can't wait to give it to her. I just hope she likes it.<br /><br />I have been working off and on on the Train of Dreams SAL, I have decided that since I have completed the birth announcement for now, I'm going to get back to my Random Number generator and get my challenge pieces back in the mix. I have added the ToD to the list and another birth announcement since I just found out that my daughters best friend is pregnant too. I have a lot more time to do hers, so I should be able to get it done in time as well.<br /><br />This is what I'm going to do for my daughters bestie. I bought this in the late 90's and have had it stashed ever since, I pulled it out of storage and the fabric is stained and the little bit of stitching I had started is dirty too so I'm just going to start all over. The floss in the kit has an odd musty smell so I have to convert the Bucilla floss colors over to DMC, no problem there.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-342jzSodoZk/T-9xkZJRwrI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/G9dQtUkXJus/s1600/Ships+Ahoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-342jzSodoZk/T-9xkZJRwrI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/G9dQtUkXJus/s320/Ships+Ahoy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;Now then, here's the TofD progress, just to keep you up to date with where I am on it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dNW8v3ijPgo/T-9x3HC-8sI/AAAAAAAAAWY/0OJB2FTuUwQ/s1600/ToD+progress+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dNW8v3ijPgo/T-9x3HC-8sI/AAAAAAAAAWY/0OJB2FTuUwQ/s320/ToD+progress+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mBNe8sX287s/T-9x3VFsP-I/AAAAAAAAAWg/sTqPQzvGhp4/s1600/ToD+progress+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mBNe8sX287s/T-9x3VFsP-I/AAAAAAAAAWg/sTqPQzvGhp4/s320/ToD+progress+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;I've done a little more since that last pic, but not enough to warrant a new photo yet. I am really enjoying working on this, but I think I need a little break. Confetti is giving me headaches right now.<br /><br />So I'll get back on soon and update with whatever the number generator comes up with. So sorry it has been a couple of weeks between posts, but I think things are slowing down a bit and the newness of having an empty "nest" is wearing off. See you soon and have a wonderful week! For those of us in the States, Have a safe 4th of July and if you are lucky enough to have fireworks, please televise them for us here in AZ, all of ours have been cancelled I believe.Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-92139576098539281462012-06-16T15:53:00.000-07:002012-06-16T15:53:37.788-07:00I Feel Like I'm Cheating...It's odd, but I feel like I have been cheating on my 2012 challenge pieces. I have not touched one of them for weeks! I have a reason, but it still feels like I'm being disloyal. I know it's ridiculous, but....<br /><br />Here's where I got on A Star is Born. The little mama is still holding on, I don't think she's going to make it to her due date, but if she doesn't I can finish this fairly fast.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9T4N5PBBGgs/T90Lxng5lvI/AAAAAAAAAVs/zcUw9NTyYg8/s1600/a+star+is+born+progress+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9T4N5PBBGgs/T90Lxng5lvI/AAAAAAAAAVs/zcUw9NTyYg8/s320/a+star+is+born+progress+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I'll finish the last of the stars this week and get started working on the backstitching. I can't wait to see her face when I give it to her.<br /><br />I worked on the Train of Dreams SAL last weekend and haven't looked at it all week so I didn't make a huge amount of progress, but I can definitely see how even just a little bit of progress can keep me motivated. I may not keep updating each week, but I will keep taking pics and will update at least once a month. I like having both pics together to compare on this one.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlQdc2uLT0g/T90NjMHCvuI/AAAAAAAAAV0/HBLETdPGbUo/s1600/ToD+progress+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlQdc2uLT0g/T90NjMHCvuI/AAAAAAAAAV0/HBLETdPGbUo/s320/ToD+progress+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jXvh8RgXum8/T90NjhkJZnI/AAAAAAAAAV8/udbcn3a1QfI/s1600/ToD+progress+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jXvh8RgXum8/T90NjhkJZnI/AAAAAAAAAV8/udbcn3a1QfI/s320/ToD+progress+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Had date night with my hubby last night and tonight I'm taking my daughter out for a belated birthday dinner. Tomorrow hubby and I are going to a Scorpions concert. He plays in a Scorpions tribute band so he'll really enjoy it. I just hope it doesn't rain since the concert is outside and we have lawn seats.<br /><br />I hope to have more pics for my next post. So until then, Happy Stitching!!Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-62348228934091315822012-06-09T12:18:00.000-07:002012-06-09T12:19:32.785-07:00Not such a great week, but progress.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />This week has been hectic and frustrating and a couple of other things and I'm glad it's over. My daughter turned 25 on Tuesday. I really was looking forward to taking her our to dinner at her favorite restaurant and had it all planned out, but wouldn't you know it, the money I had set aside for dinner got taken out to pay the car insurance! I mean, what? I need insurance on my car? Oy! The timing just couldn't have been worse. So I couldn't take her out for dinner on her birthday, but I will take her out next week, this time to her other favorite restaurant since her boyfriend did take her to the favorite. I did get to make her requested birthday "cake", however, and it was DEEEEEElicious!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9W1TNzvIeLU/T9OVXlul0OI/AAAAAAAAAUo/6ioB15g2bW4/s1600/GEDC1096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9W1TNzvIeLU/T9OVXlul0OI/AAAAAAAAAUo/6ioB15g2bW4/s320/GEDC1096.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k_tDRjEwU-M/T9OVYAwyAwI/AAAAAAAAAUw/8av72ohTaBk/s1600/GEDC1097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k_tDRjEwU-M/T9OVYAwyAwI/AAAAAAAAAUw/8av72ohTaBk/s320/GEDC1097.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make a wish!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-myNX3A4q8po/T9OVYdmqTJI/AAAAAAAAAU4/1N1yAxlqZ4M/s1600/GEDC1098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-myNX3A4q8po/T9OVYdmqTJI/AAAAAAAAAU4/1N1yAxlqZ4M/s320/GEDC1098.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Yes, it was a chocolate pudding pie! And she blew the candles out so hard, she knocked them over. When my son asked if she made a wish she said, "I don't need to make a wish, I already have everything that I want." What an awesome kid! So happy to have her in my life.<br /><br />The rest of the week just seemed to get away from me. I did get some progress on my birth announcement, but didn't finish it, like I'd planned. But here's the progress on that one.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n-qEg39zMo4/T9OWftLtf8I/AAAAAAAAAVA/IiXsr7Qgmq0/s1600/a+star+is+born+progress+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n-qEg39zMo4/T9OWftLtf8I/AAAAAAAAAVA/IiXsr7Qgmq0/s320/a+star+is+born+progress+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FXoF_w0koJ4/T9OWfz4-XpI/AAAAAAAAAVI/WUESqBpqPJQ/s1600/a+star+is+born+progress+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FXoF_w0koJ4/T9OWfz4-XpI/AAAAAAAAAVI/WUESqBpqPJQ/s320/a+star+is+born+progress+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This is so darn cute, I really want to finish it up quickly so that when my friend has her baby I can give it to her mom (who also works at my office) as soon as I get the name and date on it and get it framed, probably the following Monday, whenever that may be.<br /><br />I worked on the SAL all week, off and on as my mood allowed. I spent most of the week battling a case of the blahs. Depression hadn't set in until last night. So here's the progress I made over the past basically 2 weeks.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-adwHruVVgTs/T9OXQU_58vI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/Bn2yU6Z4RJU/s1600/ToD+progress+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-adwHruVVgTs/T9OXQU_58vI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/Bn2yU6Z4RJU/s320/ToD+progress+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rjq9SZPv-1g/T9OXQ33JfhI/AAAAAAAAAVY/edpTRyG1bV4/s1600/ToD+progress+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rjq9SZPv-1g/T9OXQ33JfhI/AAAAAAAAAVY/edpTRyG1bV4/s320/ToD+progress+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ii1X0Zfgki4/T9OYB6x_2lI/AAAAAAAAAVg/joAqlF9TIhs/s1600/Missed+stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>I saw in the enlarged photo that I missed a leg on one stitch that I'll have to go back and fix, because even if you can't see it, I know it's there and it will drive me crazy knowing that I didn't take care of it.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ii1X0Zfgki4/T9OYB6x_2lI/AAAAAAAAAVg/joAqlF9TIhs/s1600/Missed+stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ii1X0Zfgki4/T9OYB6x_2lI/AAAAAAAAAVg/joAqlF9TIhs/s320/Missed+stitch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see it?</td></tr></tbody></table>I finally got a version of Adobe Reader that will allow me to highlight my progress on the chart. This was very frustrating for me since I love the paper print out and all, I just can't see it very well. Now that I have the updated version that will allow me to highlight it, I can zoom in and highlight and see it without straining my eyes. YAY!!!!<br /><br />I found out some really disturbing news about one of my cousins this week and I'd really appreciate any prayers and good thoughts for his health and welfare. He and his brothers have been more like brothers to me than my own brothers at times. I'm pretty heartbroken for him right now.<br /><br />I'm hoping this week will see me cheering up a little bit more and I'll get more done on the birth announcement and then maybe I can get back to my crazy 15 rotation and get some of them worked on too. Wish me luck?<br /><br />Have a wonderful week!Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-76874852346517700392012-06-01T21:09:00.000-07:002012-06-01T21:09:15.065-07:00Baby announcement progressThis week I worked almost exclusively on the baby announcement for my friend at work. I didn't really plan on giving it to her at the baby shower today, but I did hope to have it close to finished. I did make great progress on it and I will work on it again this week until it's ready for the new baby's name and date of birth. I'm really happy with what I got completed.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3dLp78KnUNw/T8mM3dQfAwI/AAAAAAAAAUM/xvEondCRhuY/s1600/a+star+is+born+progress+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3dLp78KnUNw/T8mM3dQfAwI/AAAAAAAAAUM/xvEondCRhuY/s320/a+star+is+born+progress+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It is definitely a quick stitch. I didn't get to touch it one night so I'd say another day or two and I'll have it ready for back stitching. We had the baby shower today and we succeeded in surprising our friend! She had no idea that we were planning this for a couple of weeks. One of our managers almost let the cat out of the bag today though, he caught himself just in time. Thank goodness for that. I was a bad girl and didn't take my camera so I have to wait to get pictures from one of our other girls who did remember. <br /><br />I was working on my SAL last weekend a bit, devoted a little more than a day because the other girls are blowing me away in their progress. I'm enjoying it anyway so I'm not too worried about falling behind. I will take another picture on Sunday but here are the progress pics for the Train of Dreams.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ACtAus1fa84/T8mM8kp3J9I/AAAAAAAAAUU/I_YqAJ2Xt04/s1600/ToD+progress+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ACtAus1fa84/T8mM8kp3J9I/AAAAAAAAAUU/I_YqAJ2Xt04/s320/ToD+progress+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SPsuTq2fyIw/T8mM87-4OiI/AAAAAAAAAUc/GAf3CnUY0IA/s1600/ToD+progress+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SPsuTq2fyIw/T8mM87-4OiI/AAAAAAAAAUc/GAf3CnUY0IA/s320/ToD+progress+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />If I can finish the stitching on the baby announcement I'll roll the number generator to find out what is next and post an update during the week if I can.<br /><br />Tuesday is my wonderful daughter Sami's 25th birthday. She's probably my best friend aside from my hubby. I'm taking her and her boyfriend and my hubby and son out for dinner at her favorite restaurant Red Lobster. The boys aren't really seafood people, they'd prefer steak to seafood any day of the week. They will order whatever else they can find that isn't fish and be happy about it....or else! LOL<br /><br />So here's hoping that you have a wonderful and relaxing week ahead and I hope you all find time to treat yourself to something special this week. See ya next time!Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-127087006717725612012-05-25T22:11:00.000-07:002012-05-26T08:45:08.244-07:00Restart and an updateHey everyone! I hope you are having a great start to your weekend. I'm on a roll I think. I even got a quick nap in this evening. This week was a weird one for my stitching. I really tried to work on my 22 ct Fire Moon, but the way I have to have it set up on my stand, under the magnifier, I have to sit all hunched over in order to see it, and my back was screaming at me after only a few minutes. I did stick it out for an hour or two and only got 1 row done before I decided that my best bet would be to get a swatch of my 16 ct out and cut it to size and start over. So I did!<br /><br />This is where I was with my 22 ct last time I worked on it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oYlm-CtIjs4/T8Ba_NtuiZI/AAAAAAAAATo/Mpm70QC00-0/s1600/qs+fire+moon+progress+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oYlm-CtIjs4/T8Ba_NtuiZI/AAAAAAAAATo/Mpm70QC00-0/s320/qs+fire+moon+progress+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />And after restarting on the 16 ct here's where I got up to as of this morning.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aFAxmA79Ylo/T8BXpJ7JexI/AAAAAAAAATU/64FxVYIkUYw/s1600/qs+fire+moon2+progress+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aFAxmA79Ylo/T8BXpJ7JexI/AAAAAAAAATU/64FxVYIkUYw/s320/qs+fire+moon2+progress+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Oh yeah I caught up and passed where I was, definitely much easier for me on the larger count, considering the 22 ct got worked on 3 times before that top picture. So I think I'll have a good chance of completing at least 1 page of this project this year.<br /><br />On May 15th, my hubby had to go for his first colonoscopy, the poor baby didn't like the prepping for it one bit, not that I blame him. So I took the day off to be there to support him and bring him home once it was over. I took along one of my portable pieces, the Bugs Bunny bookmark, on 14 ct vinylweave. I had taken it with me the last time he had a procedure done, in February, but I forgot to take after pics, so this progress is a little misleading. Here is where I left off the last time I took a picture.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jq1qwKUX5QM/T8BXr0M77ZI/AAAAAAAAATc/IDeRvJF09Og/s1600/Bugs+bookmark+progress+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jq1qwKUX5QM/T8BXr0M77ZI/AAAAAAAAATc/IDeRvJF09Og/s320/Bugs+bookmark+progress+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Just for reference, after the last procedure I had completed the D and started the first 3 rows of the right leg of the A. This is where I left off last Tuesday.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DXGoXp2K9Vs/T8BXoi2r1HI/AAAAAAAAATM/R4DmFbG-3ds/s1600/Bugs+bookmark+progress+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DXGoXp2K9Vs/T8BXoi2r1HI/AAAAAAAAATM/R4DmFbG-3ds/s320/Bugs+bookmark+progress+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Unfortunately, I had to sit for a couple of hours waiting, I did a lot of people watching too, since the hospital cafeteria is a very busy place. I made pretty good progress for me in just a short stitching period. Eventually I'll hit on this for a weeks worth of stitching, it still hasn't come up on the number generator. Once it does come up, I'm sure I'll come real close to finishing it or perhaps even completing it and starting my Marvin the Martian bookmark, which is covered up by the vinylweave of this one.<br /><br />We started the Train of Dreams SAL. We're working on it at least once a week and then posting our progress for each other to follow on our FB group. Since I'm also posting here, this is my progress after only about 2 hours of stitching last week when I was super busy.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pqu2Y_VHY1c/T8BfGp-PZVI/AAAAAAAAAT0/CAiEgIe62ws/s1600/ToD+progress+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pqu2Y_VHY1c/T8BfGp-PZVI/AAAAAAAAAT0/CAiEgIe62ws/s320/ToD+progress+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I decided that this week I was going to devote a full day to stitching this, for right now it's mostly just black so it will stitch up pretty fast. I'm doing this one on 18 ct, so it won't go as fast as the 16 ct but infinitely faster than the 22 ct would have been. I must tip my hat to all of you who can stitch on linen and other super fine count fabrics. I just can't until I get a better floor stand that isn't quite so low to the ground, or a better, lower stitching chair.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FKGA0TC7Qvk/T8BjYMI_pOI/AAAAAAAAAUA/_y9ReCDJQA4/s1600/a+star+is+born.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FKGA0TC7Qvk/T8BjYMI_pOI/AAAAAAAAAUA/_y9ReCDJQA4/s320/a+star+is+born.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><br />This week I'm going to work on the birth announcement for one of my co-workers. She and I started together almost 2 years ago. We're having a baby shower for her next Friday, a luncheon shower at work, which NEVER happens anymore. I really hope she likes it. I want to see if I can get this done by Friday, probably not, but I'm certainly going to try.<br /><br />Thanks to all who have left comments on my posts! I love hearing from you. For those of you in the US, Happy Memorial Day! and for those of you in other parts of the world, have a wonderful and stitchy weekend!Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-66047877312407447082012-05-23T18:53:00.002-07:002012-05-23T18:54:17.604-07:00TUSAL #5I let the new moon get away from me. This past weekend was absolutely insane for me busy-wise. I don't know what happened. Here's my ort jar for this new moon. I got lazy and just put it up on my project case this month.&nbsp; If you are interested in getting involved with the TUSAL, head on over to&nbsp;<a href="http://itsdaffycat.blogspot.com/2011/11/totally-useless-stitch-long.html" target="_blank">Daffycat's page</a> and sign up, it's never too late to start! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dUEgyklzeBY/T72TZqs8O1I/AAAAAAAAATA/nfls6TvkvZ4/s1600/TUSAL+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dUEgyklzeBY/T72TZqs8O1I/AAAAAAAAATA/nfls6TvkvZ4/s320/TUSAL+05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I do need to put a little update on my QS Fire Moon, I started over. I'll explain more when I post my update on Friday.<br /><br />I hope everyone has a safe rest of the week, it's going by fast, or not, but I'm definitely ready for a long weekend!Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-1709847651863374492012-05-18T18:43:00.000-07:002015-02-07T22:53:40.610-07:00It's Contagious!Okay, so it's not really contagious, or maybe it is...decide for yourself.<br /><br />I have been following quite a few blogs, as you can probably tell if you look at the list over there. ----------&gt; And some of the posts I have <strike>looked at</strike> drooled over, are either knitted or crocheted. I used to know how to knit, very simple straight (don't even know the name of it) type of stitch. You know, in, wrap, over, out type of thing. I actually have crocheted a couple of blankets and many granny squares, but never knew how to connect them so they just kind of went away some where...I wonder if there's a black hole that sucks in old crafy leftovers, like next door to the one that is full of odd socks? Anyway, I digress, I saw on <a href="http://thegentlestitcher.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Milly's page</a> a link to a ripple pattern that she is using to create a blanket (a Rainbow blanket!) for her car. So I went to the link she posted where she got the pattern from and it looks simple enough that a rusty crocheter, like me, could even follow it.<br /><br />Well, last night I went to Walmart looking for general stuff I needed around the house, and I remembered that my store was to be one of the lucky stores that was going to get cross stitch stuff stocked. I went looking for it where the other sewing stuff has been for the last 12 years, and I noticed that the yarn was gone and no cross stitch stuff was in evidence. There were a few bins that had yarn on clearance but nothing else, it was spooky. For once there was actually someone there that I could ask where it all went. They moved it to where the silk flowers are?!?! Who would have even considered this as being sensible...anyway I found that the floss and cross stitch patterns were there already just waiting for me to come and get what I need.&nbsp; Wait a minute, this was supposed to be about the yarn...in the clearance bins, there were 10 skeins of a nice variegated purple yarn that would make a very nice throw for me to use in the winter when I'm watching TV. So I got all 10 skeins and then bought a couple of crochet hooks. So I am now attempting to create <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/neat-ripple-pattern.html" target="_blank">this pattern</a> from the instructions and my memory of what I used to be able to do.<br /><br />But it's all your fault! If you all weren't so proficient at this knit-y crochet-y kind of stuff I wouldn't have even been tempted to pick it up again. I live in the desert for crying out loud! Who needs a blanket in the desert where it's 105 degrees every day in the summer!?!? LOL Sorry I just had to have someone to blame it on, because I certainly can't take responsibility for ANOTHER obsession. <br /><br />I do have an update on one of my cross stitch pieces. Last week the lovely random number generator kicked out a 10, meaning I would spend the week working on my In God We Trust piece. Here's where I left off last time.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OD9Yx__cqC4/T7b4638nvfI/AAAAAAAAASs/skZYngOXfm0/s1600/in+god+we+trust+progress+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OD9Yx__cqC4/T7b4638nvfI/AAAAAAAAASs/skZYngOXfm0/s320/in+god+we+trust+progress+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was hoping to get all of the cobblestones done this week, but I got caught up in the crocheting and a lot of season finales on TV this week. I did get close to completing them. Here's where I am now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m8WcOCZhrzY/T7b47P4qrcI/AAAAAAAAAS0/edKLXbiAmI0/s1600/in+god+we+trust+progress+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m8WcOCZhrzY/T7b47P4qrcI/AAAAAAAAAS0/edKLXbiAmI0/s320/in+god+we+trust+progress+3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>I can almost see the puppy in that void already. Next time, I will get the puppy done too. And maybe my little headless Precious Moment boy will have hands and a face too.<br /><br />I checked already for next weeks project and it looks like I'll be working on the QS Fire Moon. My first HAED, soon to be joined by the SAL Train of Dreams. We should be starting that in a couple of weeks. So I'm going to try to get a handle on the blanket thing and work on Fire Moon this week. So until next time, I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and week ahead!Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-11960594083628172342012-05-11T20:48:00.000-07:002012-05-11T20:48:32.690-07:00Some Progress and other pics.Hello everyone! Thanks to all who have commented on my recent posts. It warms my heart to know that I'm not the only one looking at my posts.<br /><br />So last week we had the SUPER moon as you all probably know, if you didn't....where have you been?!?! :-) I did go outside and take a couple of pictures of it just to see what I could capture.&nbsp; When I took this one, the security light was on at the corner of my house, I was at the end of my driveway, with the camera sitting on my neighbors fence post (it's made of concrete so it's very stable).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1iH7B_nkzoc/T63QPE1vOoI/AAAAAAAAASA/_551yZRc0to/s1600/super+moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1iH7B_nkzoc/T63QPE1vOoI/AAAAAAAAASA/_551yZRc0to/s320/super+moon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The moon looks pretty big there and you can really see the street even though it was relatively dark.<br /><br />Now, this one is after the light went out and I made sure not to move or the light would have come back on.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QKN3DmOZlU8/T63QSyVEwCI/AAAAAAAAASI/NS4p1C4DVFY/s1600/super+moon+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QKN3DmOZlU8/T63QSyVEwCI/AAAAAAAAASI/NS4p1C4DVFY/s320/super+moon+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I thought is was really odd how when there was some extra light, the moon appears much larger than when there was no extra light. Interesting how the appearance changes even though the two pictures were taken less than 5 minutes apart, from the exact same position.<br /><br />Ok, now for my stitching update. I worked on The Quiltmaker this week. I really worked a lot of overtime so I didn't have a lot of free time to stitch, and when I did it was very slow going. I know this is going to be the slowest part for me to stitch just because there are so many different colors and I have a hard time choosing one or two to work on at any given time. This is where I left off last time.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vYP8ilGegGw/T63R6RUu9DI/AAAAAAAAASY/TBeKYAYZtUI/s1600/the+quiltmaker+progress+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vYP8ilGegGw/T63R6RUu9DI/AAAAAAAAASY/TBeKYAYZtUI/s320/the+quiltmaker+progress+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I was really tired of gold by the time I finished the last week of working on this. So I decided I was going to put some "color" into it. Well wouldn't you know that the symbol I picked to work this week, was even lighter! So I did look for a real colorful color to do and got a blue that I could do. So here's what I got done this week.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D6hg-VDfX6c/T63R6_SXy7I/AAAAAAAAASg/6TE_pNres7g/s1600/the+quiltmaker+progress+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D6hg-VDfX6c/T63R6_SXy7I/AAAAAAAAASg/6TE_pNres7g/s320/the+quiltmaker+progress+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Not a lot, but it's ok because I'm not stopping, and eventually I'll get past this thing of too many choices to make at once and I can concentrate better. This design is too pretty to stop working on it.<br /><br />Now I noticed (again) when I was editing my pictures tonight that my camera is AWESOME! I have the camera set to the "Best" setting for resolution. So when I take the pictures off the camera I have to reduce the size so I can post them here. In order to do it, I set it to View Full Size, then change the image size to 1024 x 768. Tonight I cropped a small portion of the full sized picture and then added it to the full one as a zoom in. Here's my composite picture.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iz-wI-DxYUE/T63R6LvDrCI/AAAAAAAAASQ/xO-R5RqGse4/s1600/the+quiltmaker+composite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iz-wI-DxYUE/T63R6LvDrCI/AAAAAAAAASQ/xO-R5RqGse4/s320/the+quiltmaker+composite.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I must say...I LOVE my camera!<br /><br />The number generator came up with 10 for this week. So I'll be working on In God We Trust for the week. Let's see how much I can get done on that before next Friday. I am really chomping at the bit to get started on my Train of Dreams SAL, but the other girls aren't quite ready. So I'm <strike>patiently</strike> waiting.<br /><br />I hope you have a wonderful relaxing Mother's Day (for those of you in the US) and a fabulous weekend for everyone!Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-43768358347218335582012-05-09T21:20:00.000-07:002012-05-09T21:20:13.239-07:00Shopping trip...more stash!!I am getting all my materials ready for the Train of Dreams SAL. I ordered and received my fabric from 123stitch. Purchased and printed the chart and tonight I got to go shopping at Joann Fabrics and bought all my floss.<p/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBz_jKxA_ic/T6s_pvgx-nI/AAAAAAAAARk/RRdYRdYroC8/s1600/Train%2Bof%2BDreams%2BSAL%2Bstash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBz_jKxA_ic/T6s_pvgx-nI/AAAAAAAAARk/RRdYRdYroC8/s320/Train%2Bof%2BDreams%2BSAL%2Bstash.jpg" /></a></div><p/>I also got a kit and the latest CS Gold that we have here. <p/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e8O98wsKHGU/T6tAV8aK_fI/AAAAAAAAARw/3C2s4GS_5PE/s1600/stash%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e8O98wsKHGU/T6tAV8aK_fI/AAAAAAAAARw/3C2s4GS_5PE/s320/stash%2B01.jpg" /></a></div><p/>I'm winding bobbins as I watch tv rather than stitching. I find The Quiltmaker doesn't hold my interest as much as some of my other projects, but I'm not going to give up. I know that the area I'm stitching is probably the most detailed and at times tedious, but I am plugging away and I have actually added some blue this week, so it's not so bad. I'll have another update on it on Friday. So until then...Happy Stitching!Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-83786903801237495452012-05-04T19:20:00.000-07:002012-05-06T01:33:29.163-07:007671 Days and Counting (cross stitch)!I spent the week working on my Halloween design. It is the first time I have gotten it back out since I started it on January 5th. Surprisingly, I got most of it done, but it will take one more turn through the rotation in order to complete it. Here's where I started last Friday.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-btUIzMaEjHE/T6SH3N-1AfI/AAAAAAAAARM/pF9Dm-kekDQ/s1600/best%2Bwitches%2Bprogress%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-btUIzMaEjHE/T6SH3N-1AfI/AAAAAAAAARM/pF9Dm-kekDQ/s320/best%2Bwitches%2Bprogress%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />And this is where I leave off today. I was a lazy girl yesterday and didn't stitch after working for a couple of hours overtime last night. But a put another section of the border in this morning before work (was late leaving too!).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P59RyQrbvDg/T6SIGpbv8kI/AAAAAAAAARU/ZoXtF7UtuMc/s1600/best+witches+progress+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P59RyQrbvDg/T6SIGpbv8kI/AAAAAAAAARU/ZoXtF7UtuMc/s320/best+witches+progress+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I think this week I'll be working on the Quiltmaker again. I think I'll work on some color this time, the gold about drove me nuts last time. <br /><p>I'm going to be starting a SAL in a couple of weeks/days not sure which with a few other Randal Spangler fanatics. We're going to be stitching <a href="http://heavenandearthdesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=160_344&products_id=5637">Train of Dreams</a>. I have the fabric on the way from <a href="http://www.123stitch.com/">123stitch</a>, so that means it will be here tomorrow or Monday. Can't wait! I'll have to head to the store to buy the floss just for this. It's my first SAL so I'm really excited. <br /><p>You may be wondering about the 7671 days thing, well I am celebrating a milestone today. 21 years ago I got clean and sober and decided to take it one day at a time, and when I figured out how many days it was, it came up to 7671 days....there have been 6 leap years in that time. I don't make a big deal out of it so much anymore but I thought that the number of years was pretty ironic. <br /><p>So as I have to let my geek out a little bit today, May the Fourth be With You! <p>Happy Stitching!Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-78632820483682343272012-04-27T21:01:00.002-07:002012-05-11T16:23:03.460-07:00Happy Dance Finish #4I'm so happy! I worked an extra evening on this weeks. I only had 2 letters to complete when I went to bed last night, so I just HAD to finish it tonight. I just couldn't stomach setting it aside so close to being done.<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eGjOlurKG3s/T5toTj8xUQI/AAAAAAAAAQM/nHTzvLBRNEo/s1600/abc%2Bheart%2Bprogress%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eGjOlurKG3s/T5toTj8xUQI/AAAAAAAAAQM/nHTzvLBRNEo/s320/abc%2Bheart%2Bprogress%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Of course this is where I started last Friday. And below is the finished product. I have to go and check out mats this weekend to find just the right heart shaped mat to complete this one. I want to hang it over my desk so I can look at it often.<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KRuQMcgm4k8/T5totPr-4kI/AAAAAAAAAQY/e1u70mfznoY/s1600/abc%2Bheart%2Bfinished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KRuQMcgm4k8/T5totPr-4kI/AAAAAAAAAQY/e1u70mfznoY/s320/abc%2Bheart%2Bfinished.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I haven't looked at the Random Number Generator yet to see what is next, but I think I will work on Best Witches, since that is the only one I haven't worked on since the first night. I did work on the Bugs Bunny bookmark when my hubby had a procedure done last month and next month when he has another one done I'll take it again and work on it. I really want to get it done for him, so of course if its number comes up I'll work on it until it's done, in the nice time (I don't believe in mean time), I'll keep "spinning" my number generator. <p>I'm off to get next weeks stuff together, so until next time...Happy Stitching! <p/><center>**************** EDIT NOTE ****************</center><p>I was reminded by my friend Debbie...The darker colors in there spell my last name. I still haven't gone to get the mat and frame, but will probably do that next weekend when I reap the benefits of working all this overtime. Sorry I must have been a little brain dead when I posted this because I wanted to specifically mention the darker letters. Ah well, Thanks Debbie for asking!Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-16835111223575553552012-04-21T16:06:00.001-07:002012-04-21T16:11:30.828-07:00TUSAL again?Didn't we just do this last week? Oh no, I see it's been a whole month again. My dad was right, the older I get the faster time flies. I'd kill for a 10 year old's summer vacation day for the weekends now. That way I have more time to stitch and catch up on all that stuff I seem to be missing during the week while at work.<br /><br />So here's my TUSAL update for this month. If you'd like to find out more about what a TUSAL is, or join in with us, head on over to <a href="http://itsdaffycat.blogspot.com/2011/11/totally-useless-stitch-long.html">Daffycat's</a> page. Join in, it's nice to feel a part of something!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXFUBqAjUYU/T5M5dBAN3dI/AAAAAAAAAQA/RNI18skHlZQ/s1600/TUSAL%2B04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXFUBqAjUYU/T5M5dBAN3dI/AAAAAAAAAQA/RNI18skHlZQ/s320/TUSAL%2B04.jpg" /></a></div><br />This morning, I went to get my eyes checked, I've been noticing some changes especially when I use higher count fabric. Yes I needed a new prescription, it was funny because when I was looking at the frames, I kept going back to the same design as I got last year! I chose a style similar, but not the same. I like the old frame though and will go back in a couple of weeks and get sunglasses put in them.I've gone for more than a year without any kind of sunglasses and for me...it's torture. I live in the desert in Arizona, we have SUN and I mean it like that, 99% of the time. It's a rare occasion when we don't see the sun at all. No pics of me in my glasses, it's not that notable, but I figured I'd record me doing something other than work, sleep and stitch. <br /><br />Oh yeah and I just watched a <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/white-sox-rhp-phil-humber-222948392--mlb.html">perfect baseball game</a> being pitched in Seattle. What a crazy finish, but congrats to Philip Humber of the Chicago White Sox! I'm not a Sox fan but I am a fan of baseball and a perfect game is NOT easy. This is only the 21st in the modern age of baseball, and totally deserves recognition.<br /><br />Till later in the week, I wish you all Happy Stitching!!!Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-5057753313102247252012-04-20T19:04:00.001-07:002012-04-20T19:09:04.736-07:00Baseball season is upon us again!As I said last week, this weeks piece is for my hubby. He has been a die hard fan of the Minnesota Twins since the year I was born, when his 4th grade teacher let the class watch the World Series on TV. The Twins were in it. They lost but it was a 7 game series and he enjoyed every minute of it. Of course, that teacher was his favorite teacher ever and he decided that the Twins were going to be HIS team. Here's where I started off.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2m4y2-gbGXU/T5ITISLVvbI/AAAAAAAAAPo/BExS7lTtgSg/s1600/twinkies%2Bprogress%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2m4y2-gbGXU/T5ITISLVvbI/AAAAAAAAAPo/BExS7lTtgSg/s320/twinkies%2Bprogress%2B1.jpg" /></a></div><br />And this is where I left off last night. I was really hoping to get it all the way done this week but that's a LOT of white to stitch! Next rotation, it'll be done.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kglcydySBBg/T5ITyw94JkI/AAAAAAAAAP0/nerMUdhignE/s1600/twinkies%2Bprogress%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kglcydySBBg/T5ITyw94JkI/AAAAAAAAAP0/nerMUdhignE/s320/twinkies%2Bprogress%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><br />One of the nice things about this pattern is that I don't need the pattern now that I have the wording done. The only thing I still need it for is the backstitching of the laces. <br /><br />I realized tonight when I was putting the numbers in for the random number generator, that there are three pieces that I have only worked on once. It just so happens that the number that came up was 9, one of the poor pieces that haven't gotten any extra work done on them. The Alphabet Heart! Wonder if I can finish this one in a week? It's another fairly straightforward patterns, but I'm using variegated floss so it might take a little longer, we'll see next week huh?<br /><br />I really enjoy reading through all the blogs that I follow, and though I don't always comment, I do always read them. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your crafting, and being a part of mine. So until next time...Happy Stitching!!Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-38291875380132722122012-04-13T16:11:00.000-07:002012-04-13T16:11:38.453-07:00SW Mission, Boy Am I Dizzy!No, I'm not dizzy because of the SW Mission piece, I'm dizzy because I have vertigo. Actual diagnosed vertigo. I noticed Wednesday at work that every time I turned my head or looked up, I felt like I was going to fall out of my chair. I thought it might be my ears or possibly my allergies doing a number on me. I left work early on slept for a few hours, but that didn't seem to help. I went to work on Thursday feeling passable, but after an hour or two I started feeling dizzy again. I called my doc and thankfully, they had an opening a couple of hours later. So the verdict is Vertigo. The doc prescribed some good meds and told me to take a few days off to let it get in my system, so here I am home, and stitching...when I'm not sleeping, the meds make me sleepy.<br /><br />Now on with the stitching update! Last week my random number was 3, the pattern I call the SW Mission. I got quite a bit of the clouds done. I finished the 3rd page and have 2ish pages left to go. The ish is the last of the 4th page. Looks like I might get this one done this year!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UdMLjlcy0jk/T4ityPh3b7I/AAAAAAAAAOo/Uv3lj-XbOCA/s1600/SW%2BMission%2Bprogress%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UdMLjlcy0jk/T4ityPh3b7I/AAAAAAAAAOo/Uv3lj-XbOCA/s320/SW%2BMission%2Bprogress%2B1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BLWHgiHczag/T4it7foDzhI/AAAAAAAAAO0/iFQOgvuP7kI/s1600/SW%2BMission%2Bprogress%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="250" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BLWHgiHczag/T4it7foDzhI/AAAAAAAAAO0/iFQOgvuP7kI/s320/SW%2BMission%2Bprogress%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><br />It's easy to get bored with this due to the large blocks of color, but I have decided that no matter what I'm going to stick to my week long rotation and that way I'll complete more projects over the course of the week.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is the only WIP that I chose for my challenge this year. I have a few others that I may add to next years challenge. Yes, I'm already planning for 2013. The wonderful folks that are part of the challenge group on Facebook have really been a huge inspiration to me. <br /><br />I don't have any stitchy friends close by and although my hubby oooh's and aaah's when I show him my progress on things, there are times I think he's just doing it to be a good sport. I do the same when he talks about the inner workings of printers sometimes. Shhh, don't tell him. :) <br /><br />Speaking of my hubby, I'm spending this week on his favorite baseball team's logo. I've done this one just this past December for one of my stitchy friends who lives in Minnesota and loves the Twins too. <br /><br />Thanks for taking time out to visit my little corner of the blogiverse. Until next time, Happy Stitching!Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-45088160447236112102012-04-06T19:51:00.001-07:002012-04-13T16:13:54.942-07:00Autumn Evening update.I've decided I lead a pretty boring life. I work, I come home, have dinner, go to bed and then do it all over again, just about every day. I'm not a very social person so I think stitching is a perfect creative outlet for me since I can be alone and I don't have to worry about entertaining or being entertained by someone else. Of course I could be over-thinking it, I tend to do that too. Ah well, I guess it's all about perspective this week.<br /><br />So the RNG (random number generator), over there --->, came up with #11 last week, so I spent the week working on this wonderful piece. It's going to be really pretty once it's done and I can see some of the blues as I go, but it's pretty dark at the moment.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCqtZnbgi4g/T3-m9lchGjI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/_Cs5PLP3NVk/s1600/autumn%2Bevening%2Bprogress%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="206" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCqtZnbgi4g/T3-m9lchGjI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/_Cs5PLP3NVk/s320/autumn%2Bevening%2Bprogress%2B1.jpg" /></a></div><br />Here's where it was when I started, for the most part. I say "for the most part" because I worked on it at least one other time, but apparently I forgot to take a picture of the additional work. It wasn't much more than this...so oops! my bad!<br /><br />I didn't have a whole lot of time to stitch this week, not really sure why because, as I said, I lead a boring life, but here's where it is now.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4yXl-cUzziY/T3-oicHcAaI/AAAAAAAAAOc/v7yON3j1BNY/s1600/autumn%2Bevening%2Bprogress%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4yXl-cUzziY/T3-oicHcAaI/AAAAAAAAAOc/v7yON3j1BNY/s320/autumn%2Bevening%2Bprogress%2B2.jpg" /></a></div>As I took the pictures tonight I could see more of the blues in the bright light of the flash, I wish they were a bit brighter. I think that as I go further they may show up a little bit more, I hope so. I usually take more than one picture when I'm getting ready to do an update, just so I know I have at least one that is just right for what I'm trying to convey.<br /><br />I love how digital photography has made it so that even the least experienced photographer can get really good shots from time to time. I still have a couple of rolls of film that I shot years ago, I still haven't taken them in to be developed, I wonder if I should, if for no other reason than I wonder what on earth I was doing that pictures were called for. Hmmm, Maybe I'll take them in this weekend. Curiosity is getting me going now. <br /><br />Next week I'll be working on the one WIP I had in this challenge. Its a pattern that came with my PC Stitch program, I call it Southwest Mission, but it's called something else in the software, I can't recall what at the moment, and frankly I'm just too lazy to stop and look right now. I've had this piece going for a bunch of years, even when I didn't have a place to stitch. I'd pull this one out of a drawer and put a few stitches in every once in a while. I'm determined to finish it this year. So until next time, Happy Easter everyone and Happy Stitching!!Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-24887467832523953102012-03-31T17:22:00.001-07:002012-04-13T20:10:23.436-07:00Sewing project today!I ended up making two of the q-snap covers today. I'm not sure if I just need to make a couple more to figure out the right measurements for my favored 11x8 q-snap size, but the first was a bit too small and the second was a bit too big. The good thing is, the first fit the 8x8 and the second fit the 11x11.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B1X0aN6cKYs/T3eYp6PYhHI/AAAAAAAAANs/UMv-aovBIjg/s1600/qsnap%2Bcover%2B8x8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B1X0aN6cKYs/T3eYp6PYhHI/AAAAAAAAANs/UMv-aovBIjg/s320/qsnap%2Bcover%2B8x8.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5o13ojLPjM/T3eY2-0TbSI/AAAAAAAAAN4/OfjATcPUxlo/s1600/qsnap%2Bcover%2B11x11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5o13ojLPjM/T3eY2-0TbSI/AAAAAAAAAN4/OfjATcPUxlo/s320/qsnap%2Bcover%2B11x11.jpg" /></a></div>While I was working on these, my grandsons sat and asked questions about what I was doing and why I was doing it. They were so cute. The oldest one has expressed some interest in my stitching. As much as I'd like to have him learn to stitch, he's a bit too active to sit and concentrate on details. I'll keep encouraging him to help keep him interested, once he settles down a bit, I'm sure I have something that will keep him busy. I think I have 2 kits that came with 11 count aida. <br /><br />By the time I finished with the two covers, I looked in my sons living room and saw what just screamed for a picture.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FcYXKuZgO_w/T3ed75gSc0I/AAAAAAAAAOE/uHTLsTGi_AU/s1600/lazy%2Bdayz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="203" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FcYXKuZgO_w/T3ed75gSc0I/AAAAAAAAAOE/uHTLsTGi_AU/s320/lazy%2Bdayz.jpg" /></a></div><br />The three boys hanging together. When my son had kids I wonder if he ever imagined that at some point he'd become a piece of furniture or a jungle gym. But I must say, they look so comfortable together. I love seeing the three of them together.<br /><br />I think I might have some more pics to post tomorrow, so until then...Happy Stitching!Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-58514010921223311792012-03-30T20:48:00.001-07:002012-04-13T20:09:46.569-07:00Quiltmaker updateI'm not exactly sure how I feel about this piece. I've been working on it all week and it just doesn't seem like I got very far. I hope as I progress farther and get to fill in more colors, I'll feel a bit more accomplished with it. So this is where the piece was when I started the week.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-otakxw1aPSM/T3Z878MkokI/AAAAAAAAANU/NeUym8pRS5Q/s1600/the%2Bquiltmaker%2Bprogress%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-otakxw1aPSM/T3Z878MkokI/AAAAAAAAANU/NeUym8pRS5Q/s320/the%2Bquiltmaker%2Bprogress%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><br />And seven days later...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oLda4YJKAko/T3Z9HGoaG7I/AAAAAAAAANg/Xv4MWEz630g/s1600/the%2Bquiltmaker%2Bprogress%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oLda4YJKAko/T3Z9HGoaG7I/AAAAAAAAANg/Xv4MWEz630g/s320/the%2Bquiltmaker%2Bprogress%2B3.jpg" /></a></div><br />Ok so I guess you can kind of see which way the quilt is laying just by following the basic outline. But I'll tell you, I'm kind of tired of looking at that gold.<br /><br />Next week I'll be working on Autumn Evening, which is a pretty ambitious project for me. I think I'll begin the weekend by trying to make a q-snap cover. I bought some fabric and I have the "pattern" so I'm going to see how I do at making something new. I'm looking forward to my little sewing adventure. <br /><br />Hoping you all have a wonderful week and I'm going to try to post a couple of times this week. So until later....Happy Stitching!!Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-10894640383901814522012-03-25T19:52:00.001-07:002012-04-13T20:08:38.721-07:00Color Me Surprised!I have been awarded the Liebster Blog award! Wowsers! Thanks to Ann at <a href="http://colourfulcrossstitches.blogspot.com/">Colorful Cross Stitches</a>. I've seen a lot of the blogs that I follow getting them, I never thought I would be awarded one.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AkcpX_29LiM/T2_HBTHxfcI/AAAAAAAAAM8/XlZSP4QLACM/s1600/Leibster%2BBlog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="114" width="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AkcpX_29LiM/T2_HBTHxfcI/AAAAAAAAAM8/XlZSP4QLACM/s320/Leibster%2BBlog.jpg" /></a></div>Liebster is a German word meaning favorite, dearest, or beloved. The Liebster is awarded by bloggers to other new bloggers who have fewer than 200 followers to help spread the word about their blogs and to help them gain wider recognition.<br /><br />The Liebster award comes with four conditions that each recipient must satisfy when accepting.<br /><br />1. Choose five up-and-coming blogs with less than 200 followers to award the Liebster to.<br />2. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.<br />3. Post the award on your blog. List the bloggers you are giving the award to with links to their sites. Leave comments on their blog so they know about the award.<br />4. Share five random facts about yourself that people don't know about you.<br /><br />My award recipients are listed below, please pay them a visit!<br /><br />1. Mellybelly at <a href="http://melly-belly-cross-stitcher.blogspot.com/">http://melly-belly-cross-stitcher.blogspot.com</a><br />2. Kim at <a href="http://kim-demeter83.blogspot.com/">http://kim-demeter83.blogspot.com/</a><br />3. Joke at <a href="http://jokegaoxing.blogspot.com/">http://jokegaoxing.blogspot.com/</a><br />4. Southpaw Stitcher at <a href="http://southpawstitcher.blogspot.com/">http://southpawstitcher.blogspot.com/</a><br />5. Shannon at <a href="http://mylittlestitchingblog.blogspot.com/">http://mylittlestitchingblog.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />Now then, 5 random things you don't know about me.<br /><br />1. I named my first dog AND my daughter after my favorite stuffed animal as a child.<br />2. I went to 7 different schools in 7 years from 5th grade to my senior year.<br />3. I'm the youngest of three kids and my children are my dad's oldest grandchildren, while my oldest brother has the youngest.<br />4. My lifelong wish is to swim with the otters in Monterey, but I'm not a very strong swimmer.<br />5. My family has had a reunion every July since the 1980's in Pennsylvania, sadly, I have never been to one.<br /><br />I never realized how hard it is to pick 5 random things about myself. I'm really quite boring.<br /><br />Just a quick update on the Quiltmaker, she's coming along slowly, and I must say, I am having a hard time with all the bits of gold here and there. It's making it seem that I'm not getting much done. I know that it will come together slowly, just because it's so large, I just have to have patience. I'll post a pic later in the week. I'm off to stitch for what's left of my Sunday night.Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549693314895135971.post-14240581848790731962012-03-23T18:13:00.001-07:002012-04-13T20:08:03.954-07:00Breast Cancer Mandala update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m24OKCclZBI/T20b83EtbrI/AAAAAAAAAMw/YFSyNOYot3A/s1600/breast%2Bcancer%2Bribbon_mandala%2Bprogress%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m24OKCclZBI/T20b83EtbrI/AAAAAAAAAMw/YFSyNOYot3A/s320/breast%2Bcancer%2Bribbon_mandala%2Bprogress%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><br />Previously on the Breast Cancer Mandala update... Ok I watch too much tv. :) But it's so much fun to listen to while I'm stitching. So this is where I left off, pretty pathetic huh? Well, no longer! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9f2bU2UI4nE/T20bguUsrBI/AAAAAAAAAMY/qlaFDZtBJho/s1600/breast%2Bcancer%2Bribbon_mandala%2Bprogress%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9f2bU2UI4nE/T20bguUsrBI/AAAAAAAAAMY/qlaFDZtBJho/s320/breast%2Bcancer%2Bribbon_mandala%2Bprogress%2B3.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W--q53h-6ts/T20bm73FIKI/AAAAAAAAAMk/QstO0xlWlgg/s1600/breast%2Bcancer%2Bribbon_mandala%2Bprogress%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W--q53h-6ts/T20bm73FIKI/AAAAAAAAAMk/QstO0xlWlgg/s320/breast%2Bcancer%2Bribbon_mandala%2Bprogress%2B4.jpg" /></a></div>As I said yesterday when I posted my TUSAL update, I have made huge progress. I took a pic in the middle of the week because I was really surprised at how much I had accomplished. The pic on the right I just took a couple of minutes ago. I kinda slowed down by yesterday evening, but I was so anxious for Friday to get here, I just couldn't stay awake for very long last night. For an insomniac that is quite rare, so I jump at any chance I get to sleep during "normal" sleeping hours.<br /><br />This is really stitching up pretty quickly. I figure another 2 weeks of rotation and this one should be done, maybe sooner, just because the ribbons should go pretty quick as they are mostly large chunks of one color. This border is pretty intricate and I love how detailed yet simple the design is. Kind of an oxymoron isn't it? The dimensions seem to be just right to turn this into a trivet, I think. I haven't measured it yet, but then I will get to look at is all the time and it will even be functional.<br /><br />I did my RNG a little different this week...I know what is up next already. I'll be working on The Quiltmaker for the week. This is probably the oldest pattern that I have, that was planned for many many years ago, before I <strike>lost my stitchy bug</strike> didn't have a place to stitch. So it was a combination of both. If I make the big strides this week again, I'll post midweek updates too. We'll see how it goes. So until next time...Happy Stitching!!Otterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530511784892041587noreply@blogger.com3